Data from: Migration strategies of the Baltic Dunlin: rapid jump migration in the autumn but slower skipping type spring migration ...

• Main Authors: Pakanen, Veli-Matti, Jaakkonen, Tuomo, Saarinen, Joni, Rönkä, Nelli, Thomson, Robert L., Koivula, Kari
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Movebank Data Repository 2017
• Subjects: Calidris alpina; animal movement; animal tracking; avian migration; Calidris alpina schinzii; dunlin; East Atlantic Flyway; geolocators; light-level loggers; migratory connectivity; southern dunlin; Wadden Sea; wintering site fidelity; Dunlin
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5441/001/1.1rr405mg; https://www.datarepository.movebank.org/handle/10255/move.710

Migration during spring is usually faster than during autumn because of competition for breeding territories. In some cases, however, the costs and benefits associated with the environment can lead to slower spring migration, but examples are quite rare. We compared seasonal migration strategies of the endangered Baltic population of the dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii) using light-level geolocator data from 26 individuals breeding in Finland. Autumn migration was faster, with individuals showing a “jump” and “skipping” migration strategy characterised by fewer stationary periods, shorter total stopping time and faster flight. Spring migration was slower, with individuals using a “skipping” strategy. The duration of migration was longer for early departing birds during spring but not during autumn suggesting that early spring migrants are prevented from arriving to the breeding areas or that fueling conditions are worse on the stopover sites for early arriving individuals. Dunlins showed high migratory ...